THE HISTORY JOYS
Get the lowdown on major moments from the past in this week’s featured podcast, plus there’s a look at the LGBTQ movement and some tiny Tedx Talks
SHORT HISTORY OF…
How much do we really know about major moments in history?
We learn about them in school and may have watched the odd documentary but most of us have barely scratched the surface.
So it’s a tall order to unpack the whys and hows of an eradefining event in a single 50minute-ish podcast episode even if it does include the disclaimer ‘short’ in its title.
Yet presenter Paul McGann manages it pretty well, taking listeners back in time to meet the gladiators of Ancient Rome, to pan for gold in mid-19th century California and to President Kennedy’s war room during the Cuban Missile Crisis (that one is actually two episodes long).
It successfully challenges many of the misconceptions we’ve picked up in our cursory delves into the topics, while making listeners thirsty to find out more.
WHERE TO START:
Head to Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in 1922, where archaeologist Howard Carter has made a remarkable discovery – the tomb of boy king Tutankhamun.
THE OUT CROWD
Great gains towards equality for LGTBQ people may have been made but there is still a long way to go – and this podcast from Reach Plc (this paper’s parent company, for full disclosure) acknowledges both.
Host Joe Ali is joined by members of the queer community, who not only share their past and present experiences but also their hopes for the future.
It’s packed with role models for us all, whether we are LGBTQ or an ally, from Birmingham teacher Andrew Moffat, whose inclusive curriculum has drawn protests, to Baroness Debbie Wilcox of Newport, who repeatedly challenged the homophobic legislation Section 28.
WHERE TO START:
The podcast’s producer Daniel J McLaughlin steps from behind the mic to give his account of life as a bisexual man, including his experience of biphobia.